Study Desk

But the Lord said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have handed him over to you along with his whole army and his land. Do to him as you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.”

But Balaam responded to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go against the command of the Lord my God to do anything small or great.

God came to Balaam at night and said to him, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.”

But God was incensed that Balaam was going, and the angel of the Lord took his stand on the path to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

But the donkey said, “Am I not the donkey you’ve ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?”

Then the angel of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s officials.

Balaam said to him, “Look, I have come to you, but can I say anything I want? I must speak only the message God puts in my mouth.”

“What have you done to me?” Balak asked Balaam. “I brought you to curse my enemies, but look, you have only blessed them!”

But Balaam answered him, “Didn’t I tell you: Whatever the Lord says, I must do?”

Since Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go to seek omens as on previous occasions, but turned toward the wilderness.

Then Balak became furious with Balaam, struck his hands together, and said to him, “I summoned you to put a curse on my enemies, but instead, you have blessed them these three times.

Now go to your home! I said I would reward you richly, but look, the Lord has denied you a reward.”

Now I am going back to my people, but first, let me warn you what these people will do to your people in the future.”

I see him, but not now;I perceive him, but not near.A star will come from Jacob,and a scepter will arise from Israel.He will smash the forehead of Moaband strike down all the Shethites.

Edom will become a possession;Seir will become a possession of its enemies,but Israel will be triumphant.

Ships will come from the coast of Kittim;they will carry out raids against Asshur and Eber,but they too will come to destruction.

but those who died in the plague numbered twenty-four thousand.

Judah’s sons included Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.

but Nadab and Abihu died when they presented unauthorized fire before the Lord.

But among them there was not one of those who had been registered by Moses and the priest Aaron when they registered the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai.